Berkelium is a synthetic element with the symbol Bk and atomic number 97. It was first discovered in 1949 by scientists at the University of California, Berkeley while bombarding americium with alpha particles. Berkelium is part of the actinide series and is classified as a radioactive metal. This element is not found naturally in significant amounts and is produced in laboratories. Berkelium has a few isotopes, with Bk-247 being the most stable, having a half-life of about 1,380 years. Due to its radioactivity, berkelium is primarily used for research purposes in nuclear chemistry and physics.